Safety razor



Feb. l2, 1957 P. H. BORDEN 780,866

SAFETY RAZOR Originl Filed April 9, 1951 n/m la,

INVENTOR lav/ap A agar/v MMM W SAFETY RAZOR Philip H. Borden, Grange,Conn., assigner to Central Industrial Corporation, Memphis, Tenn., acorporation of Tennessee Original application April 9 1951 Serial No.219,950,

now raient No. 2,744,sr7,.daie May s, 195.16. D1- vided and thisapplication July .3, v1952, Serial No. 297,080

14 Claims. (Cl. S50-e605) This invention relates to certain Vnew anduseful virnprovements in safety razors, particularly of the .type

States ate-nt adapted to employ double edge razor blades. This inventionis an improvement upon the inventions of .my Patent No. 2,708,310,granted May 17, 1955, and `my Patent No. 2,710,447, granted June 14,1955. This application is a division of my copending application, SerialNo. 219,950, tiled April 9, 1951, now Patent No. 2,744,- 317, grantedMay 8, 1956.

The device involved consists generally of a handle having a bladesupporting head rockably attached to the handle and adapted for shift toand from opposite positions of angularity relative to the handle,releasable clamp means cooperating with the head to effect releasableattachment of a razor blade to the head for use, andnew and novel meansfor effecting the shift of the blade clamp- 9 ing means to and fromclamping position.

The principalobject of the inventionis to prov-ide a new Iand novelsafety razor.

A further object of the invention is to provide new and novelbladeengaging means and operating Ymeans .for such blade engaging meanscooperating with a bladesupporting head to 'eiiect desired bladeclampingin the safety razor of the invention.

A further object of the invention is to provide :blade clamping meansrespectively pivoted to the bladecarrying head along axes longitudinalof the blade carrying head.

A further object of the invention is to provide `blade clamping meanswhich lare adapted to cooperate 1with the blade supporting head toeffect blade clamping against the head and which are further adapted toeffect cover of the upper surface of'a blade supported uponsaid-head.

A further object of the invention is to provide .such blade clampingcovering means with operating means.

A further object of the invention is to provide .such operating means,which comprise pinion .means .carried by the rotatable shafts upon whichthe respective cover and clamping members are supported, 4andresiliently mounted rack sections meshing with the .pinionsttoetectopposite rotation thereof `upon movement of the rack sections.

A further obiect of the invention is to provide such a razor havingpivotally supported cover members with resilient means cooperativelyengaging with .the cover members to urge the cover members `towardclosure'and clamping position.

A further object of the invention is to improve .the design,construction, and operation of safety razors.'

The means fby which the foregoing and other objects of the invention areaccomplished andthe manner of their accomplishment will readily beunderstood from vthe following specification upon reference to theattached Patented Fe l2, i535 rg es head and related mechanisms withhandle broken away. lFig. is a top plan view of the razor supportinghead with the cover clamp members in open position.

EFig. Slis a sectional View taken as on the line V-V ,of Fig. 2-

Fig. 6 is an end view of the razor head as seen in Figs. l, 2 and 3,with parts broken `away for illustration.

iig. 7 is a similar view of the razor head with the cover clampmembersopen as in Fig. 4.

' Fig 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line VH1-VIII ofFig. 3. VReferring nowto .the drawings, it will be seen that the presentinvention constitutes an improvement upon the inventions shown anddescribed in my above identified copending :applications and that thepresent invention comprises in general a blade supporting member orrazor which is preferably adapted to support double edged razor bladesfoishaving purposes and includes cover members overlyingandretaining -asupported blade, and means for mechanically shifting the cover membersto release a supported razor blade for removal.

"Ehe razor is provided with ahandle 11 having at its upperend a yokev12, the opposite portions or ears of the yoke 1 2 being preferablyrounded to substantially circular shape and being apertured to receive apin 1 3, upon Awhich ypin is pivotedthe neck 1d of a blade .supportinghead structure 15. Similar to theconstruction described in my Patent No.

2,710,447, thelower edgeof neck liis preferablyarcuate, with thefarcsubstantially corresponding in radius to the radius of the yokeportions. Formed in the lower edge ofneck 14E are a pair of concavitiesi6, the concavities 16 being -substantially equally spaced from thevertical mid ,line of neck ld, as best 'seen in Fig. 6, the spacingbeing in the nature of twenty-five degrees on either side of the midline, and the concavities are adapted to be alternatively engaged with aball 17 mounted inthe upper end of achamber .118 formed inthe upper endof handle 11 and urged by a compression spring i9 toward engagement withthe lower edge of neck 1.1i. ,Blade supporting 15de, through the mediumof neck 14, rockably connected to handle lli; and it may be shifted toopposite 'positioned substantially at right angles to the handle, 'whichis frequently desirable, as for example in connec- ,tion with storage ofthe razor. ln such position, ball 17 is urged by rthe spring intofrictional engagement with the periphery of neck 14 and serves as aneffective brake againstundesired shift of the head relative to thehandle. Blade supporting head 15 comprises an essentially boxlike base20 which is open at its ends and includes )opstanding edge iianges and aflat base plate 2l., to which neck fili is rigidly fixed inIperpendicular relation. Overlying `base Ztl and rigidly connectedthereto is a blade seat which is preferably provided with a pair ,ofstuds 23, which may be carried by a plate underlying and fixed .to theblade seat, as by a screw or other suitable means, the studs beingadapted to engage complementary apertures formed in a razor blade Bwhich is preferably adapted for use with the present razor, so as toregister the blade with the blade seat for shaving use. Studs 23liesubstantially on the transverse mid-line of blade seat 212 ,and arepreferably substantially equally spaced from the longitudinal mid-lineof the blade seat. Blade seat 2 2 at its 4opposite edges is providedwith down-turned rounded guard bars 24, at its ends with down-turnedflanges 25, and adjacent the guard bars the blade seat is slottedsubstantially from end to end with elongated slots 26. Adjacent andoutwardly from the respective studs 23 a pair of grooves 27 are formedin the blade seat, these grooves being preferably flat and shallow andeach extending from one of the slots 26 to the other. The blade seat 22is thus grooved to provide ready access to the under side of a blade B.

Overlying blade seat 22 are a pair of cover clamp members 28 whichpreferably each comprise a at platelike cover portion adapted to overliea portion of the blade seat or a blade seated thereon from end to end ofthe blade head, the two cover members when closed over the blade headmeeting substantially along the transverse mid-line of the head andbeing suitably notched out to accommodate the upstanding studs 23. Eachcover member is provided at its opposite sides with tabs 29 which areintegral with the cover members and are perpendicular to the covermembers. Normally tabs 29 are disposed to closely embrace the oppositeside flanges 25 of blade seat 22 and are respectively pivoted to theopposite sides of blade seat 22 as by suitable pins 30, so as to hingethe cover members to the blade head for movement from a closed position,illustrated in Figs. l, 2, 3, 6 and 8, in which the cover members 28overlie the blade seat and meet substantially along the transversemid-line of the blade head, to an open position, illustrated in Figs. 4and 7, in which cover members 28 have been hingedly swung back aboutpins 30 so that the covering portions of the cover members are oisetfrom the level of the blade supported head, being thus positioned so asnot to impede access to a blade supported upon such head. Each of thecover members is provided with a pinion 31, the pinions 31 beingrespectively carried by selected pivot pins 30 and being preferablymounted at diagonally opposite corners of blade seat 22 (see Fig. 2),the diagonally opposite corners being preferably inset to accommodatethe pinions.

Housed within the box-like base 20 are the manipulatable means by whichoperation of the covers 28 may be mechanically effected. Thesemanipulatable means each comprise an upstanding rack section 32, eachrack section 32 being meshed with one of the pinions 31, with flanges 25cut off as at 33 to receive the racks, the rack sections being attachedto and carried by resilient leaf spring members 34, each spring member34 being attached at its end remote from its rack section 32 to theunder side of blade seat 22, preferably adjacent one end of the bladeseat, and being urged by its resilience to diverge away from the underside of the blade seat, being limited in such spring urged movement byengagement with the upper face of the at base portion 21 of base 20. Itwill be seen that movement of the racks away from pinion engagement islimited by the flange cut-outs 33.

Upon upward movement of a spring 34 and rack 32 carried thereby from theposition as shown in Fig. 3, the interengagement of rack 32 and pinion31 eiects rotation ofthe pinion and consequently movement of the covermember 28 about its pivotal attachment, moving such cover member towardthe open position illustrated in Fig. 7. The resilience of spring member34 constantly urges return movement of the spring and rack carriedthereby and, therefore, urges return of the cover member to closedposition, as shown in Fig. 6. In order to provide for ready operation ofthe 'spring and rack means, an operating portion 34A of each spring isexposed beyond the sides of base plate 21 for access, such portionpreferably comprising the section of springs 34 adjacent their junctionswith the rack sections.

Upon the flexing of spring members 34 cover members 28 may be moved toopen position so as to provide for access to a blade supported uponblade seat 22. It will also be seen that base 20 with its imperforatebase portion 21 and its upstanding edge flanges provides a housing forthe operating means of the device and that the cover members 28 withtheir at overlying cover portions and integral end tabs 29 form acompleting cover for the blade seat of razor 10. Preferably the tabs 29which lie adjacent the diagonally opposite racks 32 are each providedwith a laterally extending lug 29A which is adapted for engagement toprevent undesired opening movement of the respective cover members.

I claim:

l. Means for operating a cover member used with a razor blade supportinghead, which member normally is positioned to overlie said head and ispivoted thereto for movement to and from said overlying position,comprising a pinion connected to said cover member, said pinion beingpositioned at one end of said head with the upper extent of the pinionlying substantially in the plane of the upper face of said head, springmeans secured to and underlying said head, and a rack attached to saidspring means and meshing with said pinion, said spring urging saidmeshed rack and pinion to position said cover member in said overlyingposition, said spring having an exposed operating portion yadapted to beexed under pressure against said urging to shift said rack and rotatesaid pinion to move said cover member from said overlying position.

2. Means for operating a pair of cover members used with a razor bladesupporting head, which members normally are positioned to overlie saidhead and are pivoted thereto for movement to and from said overlyingposition, comprising pinion means respectively connected to each saidcover member at diagonally opposite corners of the ends of said covermembers, spring means each secured at one end to and underlying saidhead, the opposite ends of said spring means being exposed and normallyspaced from said head, and rack means attached to said spring meansadjacent said opposite ends and meshing with said pinion means, saidspring means urging said meshed rack and pinion means to position saidcover members in said over-lying position, the spaced ends of saidspring means being exed under pressure against said urging to shift saidrack means and rotate said pinions to move said vcover members from saidoverlying position.

3. Means for operating a cover member used with a razor blade supportinghead, which cover member overlies said head and is pivoted thereto formovement to and from overlying position, comprising a pinion carried bysaid cover member `at one end of said cover member, spring meansattached to and underlying said head` a spring-carried rack engagingsaid cover-carried pinion,

said rack being disposed substantially perpendicular to said head andbeing shiftable along one end of said head,

vsaid spring means normally acting in cooperation with said rack to urgesaid cover member into said overlying position and being flexibleagainst said normal action to effect movement of said cover member awayfrom said overlying position.

4. In a safety razor, a head provided with a seat shaped to support adouble-edge razor blade 4in shaving position, one or more studsprojecting upwardly from the seat for interlocking engagement with theblade to index the latter on the seat when positioned against the same,a pair of complementary clamps above the seat movably connected with thehead for holding the blade down on the seat, which clamps are movablefrom blade holding positions into positions wherein the blade isreleased to permit removal of the same from the seat, each clamp beingprovided with a pinion mounted adjacent said seat, leaf spring meansbeneath the seat for normally moving the clamps into their blade holdingpositions, said spring means being attached to said head at one end andexposed and spaced from said head at the opposite end,

and meshed with the clamp pinions for positively moving the clampsgfrom-theirblade holding positions intotheir "blade releasing positions uponmovementf said -spring holdingpositions, and a pair'ofpinion membersbeneath the seat respectively connected withthe clamps for positivelymoving the latter fromy their'blade holding positions into their bladereleasing positions, which `pinionmembers are separately movableand areseparately connectedwith the clamps, whereby either ofthe clamps may -bemoved independentlypof 4themothwer into itsblade releasing position.

6. In a safetysrazor which includes Aaqhorizontal head for supportingarazor blade and cover/membersgespec- :tively pivotallyconnected to theopposite sides of-said :head formoverrient to and fromaclampingpositiomin which eachsaidvcovermerriber .overlies said head,.from `and,wonen positions@ Walsh .Saidrmsmbefs erashlfted away-from said heardhapair of pinions respectively lconnected to said cover members anddisposed atthe opposite ends of said head, the upper extent of theperiphery of said pinions lying substantially in the plane of the upperface of said head, a pair of leaf spring members respectively attachedat one end to the under surface of said head, the opposite ends of saidspring members being spaced from said under surface, a pair ofupstanding rack sections respectively connected to said opposite ends ofthe spring members and lying alongside said head ends in mesh with saidpinions, said rack sections being shiftable independently in asubstantially vertical direc- L- tion, to effect movement of eithercover member independently of the other cover member, said springmembers urging shift of said rack sections to move said cover memberstoward said clamping position.

7. In a safety razor which includes a head for supporting a razor bladeand cover members respectively pivotally connected to the opposite sidesof said head for movement to and from a clamping position, in which eachsaid cover member overlies said head, from and to open positions, inwhich said members are shifted away from said head, a pair of pinionsrespectively connected to said cover members, said pinions beingdisposed at diagonally opposite corners of the ends of said head, saidhead being inset at said corners to receive said pinions, the upperextent of the periphery of said pinions lying substantially in the planeof the upper face of said head, a pair of leaf spring membersrespectively attached to the under surface of said head, a pair ofupstanding rack sections respectively being connected to said springmembers and lying alongside said head ends in mesh with said pinions ina plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said head upperface.

8. In a safety razor which includes a horizontal head for supporting arazor blade and cover members respectively pivotally connected to theopposite sides of said head for movement to and from a clampingposition, in which each said cover member overlies said head, from 4andto open positions in which said members are shifted away from said head,a pair of pinions respectively connected to said cover members, saidpinions being disposed at diagonally opposite corners of the ends ofsaid head, the upper extent of the periphery of said pinions lyingsubstantially in the plane of the upper face of said head, a pair ofleaf spring members respectively attached at one end to the undersurface of said head adjacent the .ends `in meshwithsaid pinions, said`rack sectionsbeing independently `vertically reciprocable with saidspring members to effect movement of either cover memberindependentlyofthe other cover rnember,.said spring members urging shift. of saidrack sections to move said cover members toward said` clamping position.

9. In arsafety razor which includes a head forsupport- `ing arazorblade. and covermembers respectively .pivotally connected 'to theoppositesideslof said head for Vmovement Itoand from aclampingpositiomin which each.said cover .member overlies said head,from and to open positions in .whichsaid members arershiftedaway `fromsaid ihead, a pair of .pinions .respectively .connected .to said covermembers, said pinions being disposed at di- -agonally.opposite cornersofthe ends of'said head, said .head-.being inset .at `said corners toreceive said pinions, .theupper extent of the periphery of said pinionslying substantially in the plane of the upper face Vof saidhead,

`a pair of leaf spring membersrespectively attached at one end `totheunder surface of said headadjacent the other corners hof .the ends ofthe head, said springlmembersextending substantially the length of saidheadwith Atheopposite endsiofsaid spring members spaced vfrom said under.-surface, a pair ofupstanding rack sections respectivelylbeingconnected `to said opposite endsof ti 3 spring members and lying alongside said head ends in mesh with said pinions in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of said head upper face.

l0. In a safety razor which includes a horizontal head for supporting arazor blade and cover members respectively pivotally connected to theopposite sides of said head for movement to and from a clampingposition, in which each said cover member overlies said head, from andto open positions in which said members are shifted away from said head,a pair of pinions respectively connected to said cover members, saidpinions being disposed at diagonally opposite corners of the ends ofsaid head, said head being inset at said corners to receive saidpinions, the upper extent of the periphery of said pinions lyingsubstantially in the plane of the upper face of said head, a pair ofleaf spring members respectively attached at one end to the undersurface of said head adjacent the other corners of the ends of the head,said spring members extending substantially the length of said head withthe opposite ends of said spring members spaced from said under surface,a pair of substantially vertical, upstanding rack sections respectivelybeing connected to said opposite ends of the spring members and lyingalong side said head ends in mesh with said pinions in a planesubstantially perpendicular to the plane of said head upper face, saidrack sections being independently vertically shiftable with said springmembers to eEect movement of either cover member independently of theother cover member, said spring members urging shift of said racksections to move said cover members toward said clamping position.

ll. In a safety razor which includes a head for supporting a razor bladeand cover members respectively pivotally connected to the opposite sidesof said head for movement to and from a clamping position, in which eachsaid cover member overlies said head, from and to open positions, inwhich said members are shifted away from said head, a pair of pinionsrespectively connected to said cover members, a pair of leaf springsmembers respectively attached to the under surface of said head, a pairof opstanding rack sections respectively connected to said springmembers and lying alongside said head in mesh with said pinions, saidrack sections being shiftable independently in a substantially verticaldirection, to

7 eiect movement of either cover member independently of the other covermember, said spring members urging shift of said rack sections to movesaid cover members toward said clamping position. Y

12. In a safety razor which includes a head for supporting a razor bladeand cover members respectively pivotally connected to the opposite sidesof said head for movement to and from a clamping position, in which eachsaid cover member overlies said head, from and to open positions, inwhich said members are shifted away from said head, a pair of springmembers respectively attached to the under surface of said head, meanslocated respectively at the opposite ends of said head operativelyinterconnecting said springs to said cover members, said springs andsaid means being shiftable independently in a substantially verticaldirection, to effect movement of either cover member independently ofthe other cover member, said spring members urging shift of Ysaid meansto move said cover members toward said clamping position.

13. In a safety razor which includes a head for supporting a razor bladeand cover members respectively pivotally connected to the opposite sidesof said head for movement to and from a clamping position, in which eachsaid cover member overlies said head, from and to open positions, inwhich said members are shifted away from said head, a pair of rotatableelements respectively connected to said cover members and positioned atdiagonally opposite corners of said head, spring means attached to theunder surface of said head, a pair of sections for rotating saidelements respectively connected to said spring means and engaged withsaid rotatable elements, said sections being shiftable independentlyrelative to said head, to effect movement of either cover memberindependently of the other cover member, said spring means urging shiftof said cover members toward said clamping position.

14. In a safety razor which includes a head for supporting a razor bladeand a cover member pivotally connected to one side of said head formovement to and from a clamping position, in which said cover memberoverlies said head, from and to an open position, in which said memberis shifted away from said head, a pinion connected to said head, aspring member attached to the under surface of said head, an upstandingrack section connected to said spring member and lying alongside said.head in mesh with said pinion, said rack section being shifta'ble in adirection substantially perpendicular to said head, to effect movementof said cover member, said spr-ing member urging shift of said racksection to move said cover member toward said clamping position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

